Navigating-turret for submergible vessels.



s. LAKE.

NAVIGATING TURRET FOR SUBMERGIBLE VESSELS.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 13 1907.

Patented June 22, 1909.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

QQSJOG,

i i i a s. LAKE.

NAVIGATING TURRET FOR SUBMERGIBLE VESSELS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1907;

Patented June 22,1909.

s swims-sum" s.

s. LAKE. NAVIGATING TURRET FOR SUBMBRGIBLE VESSELS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.13, 1907. 925,706. Patented June 22,1909v 3 SEEETS-SHEET 3.

5w Zia/Tic.

r which the vessel is sub sneer: or enme'eronr,eouunc'ricu'r.'

sire. estrus.

Specification of Letters Paten sonsusivrsnoznrgn vnssnris.

.Patented Juhe'ss, 190s.

.spplicetion filed November 13, 1307. Serial No. 02,025.

all whom it may soccer-m7 Be it know that l, SLEON Lenin, a citizen of the Unite States, and a resident of Bridgeport, in the county of i sir ield and State Connecticut, temporarily residing in London, England, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Navigatingiui'ret for Submergible Vessels, of which the following is o snecilicstionf The object invention is to provide a submarine or ugible vessel with e nevigeting turret hevg a series of intercoin numeeting comp merits and which is of light weight G{)11Si"UQ-ti02l and of the necessary strength to wihstsnd the e ernslpressure t cted when submergerh'end through which the occupants of the vessel :ney re dis escape from either end of it should the v be incepeci-tated when operating in s submerged condition and when the other exits could not used.

Another object is to render these con1pertmerits capable of being succ ssively and alternately used, should any one of them be injured, thereby not only permitting esceoe but also ellowiu y the occupants to safely control and n: to the vessel, e result not attainable were the turret constructed with l rtnient.

ed the objects of the inted its essential characctiy claim that which i. claim as my invention.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention, in the seve 'el figures of which like ere siniilz rly designated, Figure 1 is a partial vertical longitudinal section of the to rot and central parts of the vessel. Fig. 2 is horizontel sectional plan drawn through c turret, on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3

is s vertical longitudinal sectional view drawn on e larger scale through the turret. Fig. 1S :1 similsr view showing open one 01 the hatches controlling the hutehwuy 1n the upper end of the rear end section, And also showing the menus employed for el'l'ecting escape tron'i the vessel when submerged. Fig. 5 is e llOliZ-Oiitztl longitudinal sectional viewdrswn through the turret and illustrating the sections of the turret formed oi percylindrical construction. Fig. 61s :1 deta l vertical section on a larger scale of the 7 upper part of the rear section and the section scent thereto ol' the turret and illustrating formed in the abutting surfaces of the two adjacent forward sections of the turret.

A, designates the hull of a submarine or submergible vessel, having a superstructure B, the deck of which is arranged some distance above thehull to provide an intervening space C between the said deck and hull. In the space C is arrangede series of tanks D, D, that may be employed to receive air to increase the buoyancy of the vessel, or ballast when the vessel is submerged, or for the storage of water, fuel or other commodities.

Amidships and preferably equally disposed fore and aft of the center of gravity, is the navigating turret .E, a, ortion of which extends down into the hui The turret is constructed of a series of cylindrical sections 1, 2, 3 and 4, whose vertical walls are joined together'in longitudinal elineinent by rivets, or by otherwise connecting the abutting faces of the sections, to provide air-tight joints, and which sections when thus connected and provided with appropriate tops, form precticzilly a single structure, with aseries 01 verticel convex surfaces throughout the length of the sides of the turret, whereby the strength of the turret, as a Whole, is' greatly increased. The sections compartments, a, l), c and which communicate with each other through openings formed in the abutting vertical walls of the sections. The 0 enings between the compartments a am I), and b and c, are provided with doorway frames TF and F, respectively, which are securely fastened to the sections to provide air-tight joints. Doors F and F respectively, are hinged to the frames for closing the openings or doorways to make the compartments air-tight.- The sections 1 and 4 are somewhat smaller in diameter than the intermediate sections 2 and 3, and form the ends of the turret, and the compartment of section 4 communicates with the compartment 0 of section .3 through openings formed in the abutting surfaces of the sections and constituting a man-hole f, that is normally closed by a cover F prefere ably screwed upon a collar surrounding the mun-hole, but the cover may be hinged or otherwise held in position, if desired. The men-hole provides s'pesssge-way from the rovide a series of compartment (Z to the compartment 0 from the fore port of the hull of the vessel, or vice versa. A sight opening is formed in the cover F which is closed by rt glass plate f, whereby the occupant of the compartment may look through into the interior of the fore part of the vessel.

The lower ends of the sections 1, 2 and 3 within the hull are closed by it plate E which forms the bottom of the sections and is supported by cross-beams e, e, which may be connected to the ribs of the hull, or, if desired, the ribs may he formed with segmental "horizontal portions and the bottom allowed to rest thereon. The forward section 4 rests at its lower end upon the hull of the vessel and the hull is provided with a hatchway G opening into said section and closed hya cover G opening upwardly. The up per end of the section 4 is provided with a circular opening in which is fixed a cylindrical band or c-olhtr ii that projects slightly ahove the section and provides a hatchway which is closed by a hatch ii, and through which access to and exit from the compartment may be had from the interior to the deck of the vessel, or vice verse. I

The bottom of the section 1. of the turret is provided with a hatclnvay ll which is closed by a hatch ll opening into the crnnpartment (a. The upper end of this section is provided with an opening in which 'lixcd a collar ll forming a hotchway which. is somewhat longer than the collar ll and its upper end is closed by a hatch ii The pintlo ol the hinge of the hatch ii is held last in lugs or ears h, 7L, Fig. 7, projecting from. the hatch and is journalcd in bearings 71/, /1/, projecting from the top of the section 1, and. loosely mounted upon the pintle, between the hourings, a worm-wheel it which is meshed by r. worm it carried at the outer end of a shaft 1 0 Figs. 1, I), 4 and (i, journalcd in a sleeve proji. ing from the top of the section 2. This shalt projects through the top of suction. 2, and surrounded by r. shilling-ho); secured to lho under side of the top (see Fig. (i) and has a crank-lnmdlc at its inner cnd by which the shalt is revolved. The pcriplu-ral cd e of the hatch ii is cut out to provide a recess for the gear-wheel in which the latter snugly his, and upon cach sidc'ol the gearwhccl is formed a hug hr, lfigsh and 7;which logs are designed to engage the edge of the nah-ll adjacent to the recess, so that us the shalt is rcvolvcd, motion will he imparted to he gcar-wlwnl, which will bring the lugs into mugs-numeral; with the hatch and swing the hatch up'on its hinges to an open position, and liy a reverse movcmentol" the shaft the hatch may he lowered. 'lo lho inncr cndoi' tho rollur ll is connoclod a collapsible slothe .l, whirh is normally (ollnpsml and hold oscyalod m; sh wn in lfig. J3, hut which may lie r c); nded and lowered to form a continuation of the collar, :is shown in Fig. 4. The pur pose ol" this arrangement is to provide an exit from the vessel when the latter is submerged, should it he desired to escape therefrom in the event ol the vessel lining incapacitated and its occupants unable to bring it to the surface.

J, designates a compressed air supply pipe which extends from an air supply tank (not shown) carried by the vessel, into the com- ')artment band has a valve at or adjacent to its free end to control the admission of air to the compartment.

J, designates a water outlet pipe, which may extend to one ol the ballast tanks (not shown) of the vessel or direct to the surrounding' body of water. A valve j is interposed in the pipe within the com 'iartment by which the outlet may he controlled.

In the illustration, lfiig. l, the vessel is supposed to he in a submerged condition and the parts adjuslcd for esca c from thcvesscl with the hatch ll open. Before the hatch is o'pcnoi'l, ln'iwcvcr, the flexible sleeve l is lowered and the hatches controlling communication to the coillpurtmont l1 and also the hatch ll controlling communication to the compartment a, are securely fastened down. Enough compressed air is then. admitted into the compartment 0, through the valve-controlled pipe J, to countcrlmlance the external water pressure and provide an air-lock or breathing space in the upper part of the sections. The hatch cover ll is then raised, by revolving the. shalt h, which can be easily accomplished, as the air within the compartmcn ts countor-balances the external prcssurc and therefore only enough leverage force is necessary to overcome the weight of the hatch ltscli". immediately the hatch is raised from its scat, water rushes through the hatrhway into the compartmonts (l and 1) and rises until the lower end of the llcxihle sleeve is surrouiuled, the amount of water let in living ol course regulated by the air pressure within the compartments. \Vhcn ready to escape from the vessel, the occupants of the compartment then dive down under the end of the sleeve and rise to the surface of the water, and when all but one of the occupants have escaped, the hatch ll is again loweredand the valve in the exhaust Water pipe J is opened and the water drained or forced from the rompartmbnt into any one of the hallast tanks ol the vessel. The hatchway ll is then opened and other occupants of the vessel cuter the compartment t), when the hatch li is cioscd and the operation of escape is repeated until all of the crew have escaped. The operation for clieetihg the escape as described is in the event "of the, how of the vessel homg m m-ed, in. which,

case the door Q in the bulkhead Q eijranged centrally ol' the vessel is closed so that the water or ehlornrgascs from the batteries llu lugs.

ing a hatch 7c.

' dead light K ssaroe will not the rear or stern compartment of the vessel, but in the event of the stern be ng injured, the crew assemble in the bow or she and the door Q is closed, when rance may he had to the compartment 5 ra li the hatchway G, 'rnanhole f, and l which the doorway F is the operation as before described (i. i r to open the hatches G and H e hull-of the vessel or the compartments hito which they open, I provide cranklevers R, it, which en age beveled lugs formed upon the tops oi the hatches, the shafts it, It, oi the lovers extending into the hull of the vessel and provided with handles R, R by which the shafts may be revolved to disengage the levers from the To raise the hatches from withinthe Compartments, the lovers R, E, are grasped and swung around to disengage the lugs. The tops of the sections 1, 2, 3 and 4, are convex or dome-shaped, and arranged upon the to s of the sections 2 and 3 is a conning'tower access to which is had through a hatchway is, formed in the to of the section 2, and hav- T e to nates in a sighting 1100 K, and in said top and at the rear of this hood is arranged a The upper ends of the sections forming the turret project through the to of the superstructure and are incased in a ousing L, which is double conoidal shape in longitudinal horizontal section (see Fig. 2)

so as to present an even surface to the Water and offer the least possible resistance to the vessel when running submerged. The housing is provided with openings which surround the hatches formed in the tops of the sections 1 and 4, as shown in Fig. 1.

M, M, designate ladders extending from the lower portion of the hull oithe vessel to the hatchways at the lower ends of the sections i and, and Id, M designate ladders arranged in the compartments of the said sections and which extend to the hatchways in the tops thereof.

N, N, designate air inlet pipes which extend through the hull and pro ect upwardly through the g L for conducting fresh airto the hull is vessel when the latter is running upon surface of the Water. Valves (not shown) control the inner endsof the pipes.

O, designates a hatchway leading into the hull of the vessel through the superstructure, and O is the cover therefor.

The compartment 3 and the conning tower K are provided with the usual steering wheels for controlling the movement of the vessel, and also the necessary si 'n ling apparatus employed in such boats, 11 w as t ese construction, I deem it unnecessary to show ,or further describe them of the tower termi features are of usual or any approved In Fig. 2 of the drawings, the ey indrical sections are shown with their sides bent inwardly to provide flat abutting surfaces which are riveted or otherwise connected to tween the sections 1 and 2, and ad 3, are fitted. with frames P, P, to aresecured doors P P, h r closing t openings to render the compartment of either section air-tight. in r Will be seen the sides and top of the turret are termed with a' series of semi-circular or convex surfaces which greatly increases the strength of the structure as a whole and enables it to Withstand the external pressure to which the vessel is subjected when submerged and ivithoutincreasing its weight.

From the foregoing, the advantages of my invention will readily, appear to those having experience in the construction and operation of submarine vessels.

What I claim is 1.--A submarine or submergible vessel, having a navigating turret Whose side walls are constructed with aplurality of segmental or convex surfaces and having its top-likewise constructed with a plurality of segmental or convex surfaces, and hatches controlling admission td-the turret.

2. A submarine or suhmergible vessel, having a navigating turret whose vertical Walls and top are constructed with a plurality of segmental or convex surfaces, inter communicating compartments in said turret,

hatches controlling admission to the turret, and hatches for controlling communication between the compartments. I

-3. A submarine or submergible vessel,

having a navigating turret Whose vertical walls and top are constructed with a plurality of convex surfaces, partitions dividing the turret into a series of compartments having openings to aii'ord communication lietween said compartments, l ches at t e ends of the turret for controi 11g aomigsio to the end compartments, and hatches ontrolling the openings in the partitions.

l. A submarine or suhmergible vessel, having a navigating turret constructed of a plurality of segmental or convex sections and interconnnunicating compartments, and hatches controlling admission to said conipartnrents in alternation or succession. 9.

5. A submarine or subn'iergible vessel; having a navigating turret hogetteytjggl Walls and to s are constructed of a plurality of segments or convex sections andinterier construction, it

communicating compartments, and hatches at the upper and lower portions of the turret controlling admission to and exit from the said compartments in alternation or succession. i

6. A. submarine or submergil'ile vessel, having a navigating turret whose vertical walls and tops are constructed of a plurality of convex sections with partitions dividing the turret into a series of compartments having openings to establish comn'iunicatio'il be;

tween the said compartments, and hatches at the upper and lower portions of the turret controlling admission to and exit from the said compartments.

7. In a submarine or submergihle vessel, a navigating turret constructed of a plurality of sections providing a series of corn art- Incnts, the sides of the said sections )eing convex, means for rr'mdcring the compart ments formed by the sections air-tight, hatch Ways provided with hatches at the upper and lower portions of the turret for controlling admission to and exit from the turret, a col lapsible sleeve adapted to form an extension for one of the hatchways, and means for conducting air under pressure to the compartment having the sleeve, whereby an airlock or brcathing-space is formed in the said. compartment when water enters the latter. 8. In a submarine or submergible vessel, a navigating turret having a series of communicating compartments, means for closing air-tight the mediums of'connnunication between the compartments, hatches controlling 0 )cnings in the upper andlower portions of t ie turret, a collapsible sleeve surrounding one of the openings at the upper portion of the turrco and adapted to lorm an extension thereof, and means for conducting air under pressure to the said turret.

l). in a sulnnarine or submergible vessel, a navigating turret constructed of a plurality of cylindrical sections arranged in longitudinal alinement and providing a series ol"-co1npartmcnts, the abutting surfaces ol the sections having openings to all'ordcommunication between the colapartments, means for closing the openings, hatchways at the upper and lower portions of the end sections ol the turret, closures for the hatchways, an ex- .tensiblc sleeve extending from the hatchway at the upper end of one oi the end sections, and means for conducting air under pressure to the compartment of the section adjm-cnt to the compartment having the said sleeve.

H). A submarine vessel, having an air tight conniartmcnt and having a hatchway opening directly into the water when thrvesscl is sulnncrged, a collapsible sleeve surrounding tln hatehway and adapted to be "suspended therefrom within-the said compartmcnt, a hatch for the hatchway, a communicatmg compartment, means therein [or supplying air under-pressure to the lirst com partment, and means for draining the comartments of the water taken in when the liatclnis open.

11. A sulnnarine vessel, ln'tving an airtight compartment )rovided with an open ing at'its upper end leading directly into the water when the vessel is submerged, a collar arranged in the opening and projecting into the compartment, a collapsible sleeve surrounding the eollar and adapted to belowered into the compartment to form an exten sion of the collar, a hatch for engagement with the outer end of the collar for closing the opening air-tight, a communicating compartment, a pipe extending into said communicating compartment for conducting air under pressure to both compartments, a drain pipe extending into the said communicating compartment, and a hatch controlling admission to the first-named compartment from the interior of the vessel.

12. In a submarine or submergible vessel, a navigating turret constructed of a sericsof, cylindrical sections having convex tops and arranged in longitudinal alinement and hav ing abutting walls connected together airtight to form a series of compartments, the abutting walls having openings to establish communication between the said several compartments, and hatches in the top and bottom of one or more of the compartments to permit admission to and exit from the said turret.

13. In a submarine or submcrgible vessel, 1 a navigating turret constructed of a plurality of cylindrical sections which form a series sections arranged in longitudinal alinement and securely fastened together in a 'single' structure and having openings formed in the abutting walls of the sections for rendering said sections intercommunicating, closures for the openings, hatches for controlling admission to the end sections from the hull of the vessel, hatches controlling openings in the tops 01 the end sections, and a conning tower arranged upon the top of the turret and connnunicatin with the, turret through a hatchway former in the top of one of the sections, a closure for the hatchway, and a sighting hood arranged upon the top of the conning tower.

H. in a submarine or submergible vessel, a navigating turret constructed of a series of cylindrical sections arranged inlongitudiual alinement and having convex tops, said sections being securely connected together and having openings in their abutting walls for scarce the lower ends of the said end sections which establish communication with the interior of the vessel, and means for opening and closing the hatch over the collared opening operable from the compartment adjacent to the said section.

15. In a submarine or sulimergible' vessel,

' a navigating turret constructed of a series of cylindrical sections provided with tops and arranged in longitudinalalinement and connected together to provide a series of com.- partments, the abutting walls of the forward section and the section'adjacent thereto hav ing a manhole, a closure for the man-hole, said closure having a sight-opening provided with a transparent medium,the abutting surfaces of the remaining sections having door-ways to afford communication between the compartments of the sections, doors in said door-ways, hatches controlling openings in the to s of the end sections, a sleeve adapted to orm an extension of the opening in one of the end sections, means operable from within the compartment adcent to the section having the sleeve for open-' ing and closing the hatch controlling the opening therein, hatches controlling admission to the end sections from the hull of the vessel, and a compressed air supply pipe for conducting air under pressure to the turret. v v

16. in a submarine or submergible vessel, a navigating turret constructed of a series of cylindrical sections arranged in longitudinal alinement, provided with tops and connected together to form a single structure, the forward end section and the section adjacent thereto having a man-hole to afford communication between the sections, a cover having a sight-opening for closing the manhole, a transparent closure for the s1ghtopen ing, doorways affording communication be tween the compartments of the remaining sections, doors for the doorways, hatches controlling openings in the tops of the end sections; a collar arranged in .one of the open ings and having a sleeve adapted to form an extension thereof, means. operable from within the compartment adjacent to the rear end section for opening and closing the hatch upon the said rear section, and hatches controlling admission to the said end sections from the interior of the vessel.

17. in a submarine or submergihle vessel, a navi ating turret constructed of a series-of end and intermediate cylindrical sections having tops and arranged in longitudinal alinement. the abutting surfaces of the sec tions having openings to afford communication between the compartments formed by the sections, closures for the Openings, hatches chntrolling openings in the tops of the end sections, a fiexihle sleeve surround-- v i mg the opening in the rear: end section and adapted to form extension thereof,

means operable from witi the compartinent ad1acent to the rear rid section for opening and closing the well of the said rear section, means for conducting air under pressure to the compartment of said rear section when the opening between. the intermediate compartments is closed, means for.

draining the water taken in when the hatch' exit may be etlected through one of the com partment's, means to control admission to said exit'compartment, a hatch for said hatchway, and means for opening and closing the hatch from within the adjacent compartment.

19. in a sulnnarine or suhmergible vessel, a navigating turret constructed of cylindrical walls having appropriate tops and arranged to form forward end'rear sections and two intermediate sections, all. oi'which con1- municate with each other throxgn openings formed in their abutting surfaces, a closure for the opening between the intermediate sections, hatches controlling openings in the tops of the end sections, a sleeve providing an extension for the opening of the rear section, hatches controlling communication to the end sections from the hull oi the vessel, means for opening and closing the hatch the top of the rearsection from the next adjacent intermediate section, means for supplying air under pressure to the rear sec tion.

26. in a submarine or submergihle vessel,

a navigating turret constructed of a series of communicatin sections arranged in longitu dinal. alinement and connected together to form single structure and having 0 enings in their abutting surfaces, a closure ior each opening, w icreby the turret may be divided into forward and rear compartments, appropriate tops for said sections, hatches hinged to the tops of the end sections and. adapted to be folded down upon hatchways, a wor A.- Wheel loosely mounted upon the tle of the hinge of the rear hatch and adapted to engage the edge of the said hatch, a shaft having a worm at one end which engages the worm-wheel and having its opposite end extending into the section adjacent to ear end section, a collapsible sleeve pro g an extension to the hatchway in the rear section, hatches controlling communication to the end'sections from the hull of the vessel, means for con ...ucting under pressure to the. rear section, and mean. the water from szrhl seetions.

21. In :L submarine or sulnnergible vessel, {L nztvigntil'lg turret eonstrueted with o l'er ward and a rear air-light eonl mrtnn-nt, hatches controlling admission to and exit from the eompartnrents from the (leek ol" the vessel, 11. sleeve forming aux extension of the lmtelnvzry leading to the, rem eonipzutinent, lnezuls operable from one of the CUi'lllktl'tments for opening;- mul closing its hzrieh, hatches controlling (AIlHJllillllUl-lldll to the compartments fr m the hull of the. vessel, ulnl means for supplying air under pressure to the rear eonlpzu'lmeut.

22. A suhuni-rme vessel, having :1. navigating turret )l'OYiUCtl with :r lmtehwuy in the top thereol, hnteh hinged to the turret for closing the luttelnrsy, the pintle ol' the hinge or discharging being rigid with ears projr-icting from the hatch, L worm-wheel loosely mounted upon the. pintle and having lugs adapted to en.- gage the lnrteh, u shalt projecting through the turret and having :1 worm upon its outer end for engagement with the /orn1-\\'her.-l, :unl n'iezrus [or revolving the shalt, whereby the riornnuheel may he brought into engngement with the hatch to raise the szune and open the lmtelnrzty, aunl hatches eentrolling; admission to the turret from the hull of the vessel.

In testimony whereof l. have hereunto set my hand this 30th (lay of (letolwrzi. .l). 1907.

S1 MUN LAX h].

Witnesses:

M. l). BLONIHCL, ll. l). JMucsoN. 

